A Wardrobe Staple for a Wednesday Lunch Date

Hi everyone.  Lunch date with my husband today; then a little shopping after. The heat and humidity were a little unpleasant.  It's not a great outfit, but it worked and kept me relatively cool.

The black skirt is a flared Tahari I purchased new about 20 years ago.  It's been a staple in my wardrobe. (oops, my foot is sliding out of my sandal)

Today, I wore the skirt with a lace shirt, a chain belt with pink leather rosettes and black leather leaves, a few bracelets, and a pink/grey/multi bead necklace. Glad I brought along a pink shrug; the restaurant's AC was a little to cool for me.

The details:

Lace blouse: Calvin Klein

Black skirt: Tahari

Sandals: Italian Shoemakers

Belt: Brighton

Bracelets: Unknown

Necklace: Unknown

Do you own and wear a piece of clothing that has been in your wardrobe for years? Is it a classic piece, such as a black skirt, or is it is something else?

Thanks for visiting!

Norma VanV

The Summer Maxi's Last Hurrah

Hi everyone! I've added the word "Petite" to the name of my blog; it's a more accurate description.  I'm 5 feet one and one-half inches (that half inch is important when you're this short); my size combined with my age create a whole host of problems when attempting to be fashionable on a retiree's budget.  Petite clothing is difficult to find not only locally, but online. Alterations can get expensive and aren't always successful.  I could go on, but you get the idea.

Wow, are these stripes bold! Are they too bold for my petite frame? Some things you just don't know until you see yourself in a photo. 

The last chance to wear this black and white summer maxi -- Friday night drinks and dinner. I hope maxis will still be fashionable next summer;  any ideas to make this work into autumn?  Suggestions are appreciated.

The bracelets are vintage; I combined a necklace and pendant to create a new statement necklace.  Although I'm not too crafty, I think this works ... yeah! But, is it too much with this dress?

The details:

Dress:  Ruby Rd.

Sandals:  Italian Shoemakers

Necklace: Vintage triple strand necklace plus a vintage pendant combined to make a statement necklace.

Bracelets: Vintage

Clutch: Hobo

Where I wore it: Out for drinks and dinner

We are still struggling with lighting; too much light with these photos, I think. Friday's humidity frizzed my hair, while Thursday's heat and humidity flattened it (see Dog Days post). Will I ever get my hair right for these photos? 

Thanks for stopping by! Comments/suggestions are always welcome.

Norma VanV

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday @http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com

The Dog Days of Summer?

The heat and humidity of midwestern summer is back.  This calls for drastic measures -- baring my arms and shoulders ;-) (although, I do like my shoulders).  Hopefully, the deep red keeps this from looking too summery.  The flats (which you can't see in this photo, sorry, see below) are deep red suede and help to say autumn.  It's difficult to dress for early autumn when the temperatures are 90 or more and the humidity can be tropical.  (For those of you unfamiliar with the midwest, the dewpoint can reach 70 in the summer; the acres and acres of corn transpire lots of moisture into the air.)

So, I want to be wearing jeans and boots and layering to add interest, but it's just too darn hot.  Boy, does that say I'm old -- Dressing for comfort instead of style.

The details:

Dress:  Horny Toad

Belt:  vintage

Shoes: Nine West Vintage America Collection (my first purchase of fall shoes/apparel this year)

Bracelets: vintage

I think I'm getting a little better at this -- smiling for no reason at all is getting easier.  We still don't have the lighting right. Hair looked better in the first photo; by the time the next photo was taken, humidity flattened it (Actually, a number of photos were taken in between them, viewed and immediately discarded.) Oh well.

Thanks for looking.  Comments are always welcome.

Norma VV

Wednesday -- Over the Frump Day -- Finally

Since it's been a mild summer in the midwest, this has been one of my go to outfits.

I'm getting better with the smile.

And maybe the posing.
The lighting is better, but we're still working on it. 
Outside just isn't working for a multitude of reasons e.g. sun too bright, 
allergy season upon us, etc.

The details:

Green tank: Nic and Zoe

Striped tank: Talbots

Chambray dress: Sans Souci

Capri leggings: Hue

Sandals: BCBG

Belt: Rolfs

Where I wore it: Lunch at the new restaurant/brewery

Sorry about that post yesterday; it left a lot to be desired.  Should have listened to my instincts and left that one alone. I hope this game offers more strikes before I'm out, because I'll probably make more mistakes.

Note to self -- remember the following prior and during a photo shoot:  ;)

• A little more makeup is better.
• A little bigger hair is better.
• Never post (nor take photos) when battling allergies and in a funk.
• Be kind to your photographer.
• Stand with your legs closer together.

Are there other blogging mistakes I'm certain to make?  Would you like to share any that you have made with your blog?

Losing Patience on Errand Day

Ooopppssss! My Bad. Lost patience with my photographer/husband. Multiple apologies warranted.

Ugh, errands.  Drycleaners, alterations, post office, drug store, and :) craft store.

Nothing special for errand day

T-shirt: Sportelle

Skirt: Talbots

Sandals: (which you can't see) Anne Klein

Necklace:  Judith Ripka

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: vintage sterling

Another view, not so great either.  Will I ever be able to pose and smile?  (At least you can see my shoes.)

Sunday Afternoon Antiquing

The sun was Very Bright in the midwest today ... I should have kept my Ray Bans on!  Photo taken outside an antique shop located along an Interstate Highway north of my "Smallville" location.

Pants: Jones New York
Shirt:  Relativity
Shoes: Nine West

I'm new to blogging and need to work on formatting.

Comments are welcome!

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday @ http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com.